Halloween is finally here. Time to let loose, binge Tim Burton, and fulfill your childhood dreams of dressing up as your favorite pop culture hero. If you’re looking for costume inspo inspired by original Black characters in fiction, check out the 30 entries on this list. They’re fun, they’re nostalgic, and more importantly, they’re for the culture.
30. Mortal Kombat: Jade
Whether you go with the OG MKII look or a skin from MK11, nothing would make a bolder statement than pulling up in Jade’s signature bodysuit. Throw in her pink staff for added attention to detail.
29. Tekken: Eddy Gordo
Eddy is one of the flyest video game characters around. Just look at this skin from Tekken 7. The cheetah print jacket with the metal rings!? Slay.
28. Hey Arnold!: Gerald
You can never go wrong with a Gerald costume. Whether you go with the everyday look or a giant strawberry suit, any variant will do.
27. The Boondocks: Various
The Boondocks oozes Halloween inspo with its iconic line-up of original Black characters. A Pimp Named Slickback would be a good one.
26. The Rugrats: Susie Carmichael
Susie Carmichael is one of the greatest Black mascots to ever grace children’s programming. Although she has a few costumes, the signature yellow top with purple leggings would really hit home.
25. Rocket Power: Reggie Rocket
A Reggie Rocket costume would eat! For this look, pair your favorite camos with a pink cropped tee (bonus if you can stitch the rocket). Throw in the matching pink shades to really pull the look together.
24. Major Payne: Major Payne
A Major Payne costume would be a riot! Throw in the accent and gold tooth for accuracy.
23. Don’t Be a Menace to South Central While Drinking Your Juice in the Hood: Loc Dog
A Loc Dog costume is simple yet, fun idea. With the random miscellaneous items he hangs in his hair, creatives will have a great time with this one.
22. Entergalactic: Various
With costumes reportedly designed by the late Virgil Abloh, dressing up as the characters in Entergalactic would be a great excuse to show off your flyest streetwear.
21. Atlantis: The Lost Empire: Kida
A childhood hero in the ’90s, a Kida costume would be such a cute throwback. The blue tribal dress and staff will bring out the Atlantean in you.
20. My Hero Academia: Mirko
A Mirko costume would be a showstopper, for sure. The No. 5 heroe’s stacked physique and adorable bunny accents have even been replicated by Megan Thee Stallion.
19. Avatar: The Last Airbender: Katara
In a span of three seasons, Katara gave us plenty of Halloween looks to choose from. Her Fire Nation look is pretty popular.
18. Blankman: Blankman
A Blankman costume would have people falling out. Not only is it fun, but it’s super low-budget since it’s made of everyday household items.
17. Hercules: The Muses
Bringing the Muses to life would be just like dressing up for a toga party. With five distinctive looks, styles, and personalities, grab the girls and do it together.
16. Wendell & Wild: Kat
The Alt Black queen from the stop-motion horror Wendell & Wild is a must-try look for spooky season. Her funky green hair and platform boots provide an edgy touch to one of the spookiest nights of the year.
15. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-verse: Spiderpunk
After his introduction in the web-slinging Blockbuster Across the Spider-verse, Hobie Brown has become a mascot for the punk rock Blerd. His leather vest and spiky hair would be a refreshing sight among mass-produced superhero costumes.
14. Clueless: Dionne
Years before Migos coined the term, Dionne embodied the term “bad and boujee.” Since she graces the streets of Beverly Hills in some of the flyest looks Hollywood has ever seen, you’ll have an ample of amount of stylish Halloween inspo.
13. The Fifth Element: Ruby Rhod
Who can forget sci-fi’s messiest radio host: the lavishly flamboyant Ruby Rhod? His leopard print bodysuit and blonde pompadour would guarantee a night of fun.
12. Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella: Cinderella
Years before live-action adaptations became a trend, Brandy played Cinderella in the ’90s telefilm Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. Her signature ballroom gown and bold blue eye shadow are a nice throwback for Halloween.
11. House Party: Kid N Play
This dynamic hip-hop duo is so iconic, you’ll be recognized instantly. An homage to their pajama party rager from the sequel would be fire.
10. B.A.P.S.: Nisi & Mickey
Dressing up as Nisi and Mickey from this ’90s classic would be fun. Their elaborate hairstyles and loud costumes would definitely get a rise out of friends and family.
9. Queen of the Damned: Queena Akasha
Follow in the footsteps of Blerds like Issa Rae and throw together Queen Akasha’s sultry look. Gracing the floor as a vampire queen would definitely awaken your Halloween spirit.
8. Bring It On: The Clovers
This iconic look from the teen classic Bring It On is a costume that never misses. Grab your squad, and prepare to embody some of the hottest, fiercest, most competitive cheerleaders pop culture has ever seen.
7. The Last Dragon: Shonuff
When I say “Who’s the master?” you say: “Shonuff.” Shonuff is a certified rockstar in Black cinema. As Shonuff, you’ll get to tap into your inner bad guy as you step out as the flashiest Shogun Harlem has ever seen.
6.The Matrix Reloaded: Niobe
Halloween is the perfect time to finally dress up as one of sci-fi’s most badass heroines, Niobe. Her signature snakeskin suit, black shades, and bantu knots are guaranteed to slay.
5. The Matrix: Morpheus
Only the coolest of cool can pull off a Morpheus costume for Halloween. Truthfully, it wouldn’t take much. Combine your long black overcoat with rounded shades and skinny black tie, and bam. When you’re Morpheus, it’s less about the clothes and more about the attitude.
4. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest: Calypso
Calypso’s signature locs and blackened teeth will help you tap into your wicked side. With this look, don’t worry about being perfect: the grungier the better.
3. Purple Rain: The Kid
This Black ’80s classic is full of fun retro looks that can be recreated for Halloween. Prince’s stylish flamboyant looks would make the crowd go crazy.
2. Poetic Justice: Justice
Janet Jackson’s signature jumbo braids in this ’90s classic are the blueprint. The influence of this iconic look is still felt in hair braiding shops to this day. Justice’s down-to-earth vibe would be a refreshing touch of realism among a sea of fantasy heroes and witches.
1. Bebe’s Kids: Bebe’s Kids
Dressing up as the cast from the ’90s classic Bebe’s Kids would be a fun blast from the past. Tapping into your inner Khalil, LaShawn, or Pee Wee would give you an excuse to run wild and free as you recreate some of the baddest kids in Black cinema history.
